Best RBC Credit Cards


Find the best RBC credit card for your spending style, whether you’re chasing travel rewards, maximizing cash back, or building credit with no annual fee.
The bank’s Avion points program provides flexible redemption options with transfers to multiple airline partners, while RBC’s cash back cards deliver straightforward value without complex earning structures. Most RBC cards also include valuable partnerships with Petro-Canada for fuel savings and bonus points, adding tangible everyday benefits beyond the core rewards programs.
Royal Bank of Canada structures its credit card lineup across several distinct categories, each designed to match different financial priorities and spending patterns. Understanding these categories helps you identify which card aligns with your goals before diving into specific features and benefits.
With this offer for the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you can earn up to 55,000 Avion points as a welcome bonus. Receive 35,000 welcome points upon approval and earn an additional 20,000 points when you spend $5,000 on the card within the first six months of approval.You can use your Avion points for travel or convert them to other loyalty programs such as:
The current welcome offer lets you earn the equivalent of up to 55,000 British Airways Avios or 55,000 WestJet dollars.With the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card, you earn 1 point per dollar and 1.25 points for travel purchases.What’s more, you’ll benefit from a wide range of insurances: trip cancellation and interruption insurance, out-of-province or out-of-country emergency medical care insurance, collision and damage insurance for rental vehicles, and mobile device insurance.
With the RBC ION Visa Card, earn a bonus of 11,000 Avion points:
With this no-annual-fee RBC credit card, you earn 1.5 Avion points per dollar for :
And 1 Avion point per dollar for all other purchases. Plus, save 3¢/L on gas at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more points when you pay with a linked RBC card.
With the WestJet World Elite Mastercard‡ RBC®, you can earn up to 70,000 WestJet dollars as a welcome bonus:
With the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, you get a travel companion voucher redeemable for a round-trip flight at a reduced rate. What’s more, your purchases bring you one step closer to a status lift with WestJet.
Also, the primary cardholder and up to 8 guests benefit from free check-in of the first bag on WestJet flights.
With the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard, you earn 2 WestJet points per dollar of purchase when you buy a flight, a WestJet or Sunwing vacation package, and 1.5 WestJet points on everyday purchases.
You’ll also benefit from a wide range of insurance plans : Out-of-Province/Country Emergency Medical Insurance, Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Interruption Insurance, Flight Delay and Emergency Purchases Insurance, Hotel/Motel Burglary Insurance, and Rental Vehicle Collision/Loss Damage Insurance.
With this welcome offer for the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard, get 15% extra cash back on your first $2,000 in spend for 3 months, up to $300. Apply by February 2, 2027.
With the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard, earn 3% cash back on groceries, dining and food delivery, gas and EV charging, transit and rideshare, and streaming and digital gaming, and 1% on everything else. There’s no annual cap. The annual fee is $120.
In addition, you get several benefits such as:
Finally, the RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard is ideal for protecting your purchases. You get:
Comparing RBC’s flagship cards side-by-side reveals distinct value propositions based on annual fees, earning structures, and welcome bonuses. The following table outlines the core features of RBC’s most popular credit cards as of October 2026.
| Card Name | Annual Fee | Welcome Bonus | Base Earn Rate | Bonus Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | Up to 70,000 points | 1 pt/$1 | 1.25 pts/$1 on travel |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | $399 | Up to 100,000 points | 1.25 pts/$1 | All purchases |
| RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite | $120 | Up to $300 | 1% cash back | 3%: groceries, dining, gas, transit, streaming |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | Varies | Up to $700 value | 1.5% WestJet dollars | WestJet purchases |
| RBC ION Visa | $0 | 14,000 points | 1 pt/$1 | 1.5 pts/$1 select categories |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | Up to $100 | 0.5% cash back | 2% groceries, 1% gas and transit (unlimited) |
Rates and terms may vary by financial institution. Welcome bonus details often include minimum spending requirements within specified timeframes, typically three to six months from account approval.
RBC structures its card tiers with corresponding income thresholds that determine eligibility. Higher-tier cards like World Elite Mastercards and Visa Infinite Privilege products require demonstrated income levels to qualify, while entry-level cards remain accessible to a broader range of applicants.
| Card | Annual Fee | Personal Income | Household Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite | $120 | $60,000 | $100,000 |
| RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege | $399 | Higher threshold | Higher threshold |
| WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard | Varies | $80,000 | $150,000 |
| RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite | $120 | $80,000 | $150,000 |
| RBC ION Visa | $0 | No minimum stated | No minimum stated |
| RBC Cash Back Mastercard | $0 | No minimum stated | No minimum stated |
| RBC Visa Classic Low Rate | $0 first year | No minimum stated | No minimum stated |
Credit score requirements generally start around 660 for most RBC credit cards, though premium cards may require higher scores for approval. RBC considers multiple factors beyond income and credit score, including existing banking relationships, debt-to-income ratio, and payment history.
RBC operates distinct rewards currencies across its card portfolio, each with different redemption mechanisms and value propositions. Understanding how these programs work helps you maximize the value you extract from your spending.
The RBC Avion program serves as the bank’s flagship points currency, offering flexibility through multiple redemption pathways. Cardholders can book flights through RBC’s travel portal with no blackout dates, redeem for travel credits, convert points to merchandise or gift cards, or transfer points to airline loyalty programs.
Point values fluctuate based on redemption method. Gift card redemptions typically value Avion points at approximately $0.007 per point, while airline transfers can yield significantly higher value depending on the award booking. The transfer option to British Airways Avios proves particularly valuable for short-haul flights within North America or Europe, where Avios redemptions often deliver outsized value compared to revenue ticket prices.
The RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard pays unlimited 3% in eight everyday categories and 1% on everything else. From December 2, 2026, cash back can be redeemed at any time, starting at $1, through Online Banking, the RBC Mobile App or by phone; the automatic January payout ends.
The no-fee RBC Cash Back Mastercard pays unlimited 2% on groceries, 1% on gas, EV charging, transit and rideshare, and 0.5% on all other purchases. There are no more tiers or caps.
The WestJet RBC co-branded cards earn WestJet dollars directly, bypassing the need for currency conversion. WestJet dollars function as a revenue-based currency, with each WestJet dollar worth $1 toward WestJet flights, vacation packages, and other travel products. The World Elite tier earns 1.5% in WestJet dollars on WestJet purchases and 1% on all other eligible purchases, while offering additional perks like a companion voucher after meeting annual spending thresholds.
Beyond earning structures and welcome bonuses, RBC credit cards include a range of insurance coverages, purchase protections, and partnership benefits that add substantive value. The depth and breadth of these benefits typically correlate with the annual fee tier.
Premium RBC cards include comprehensive travel insurance packages that can save cardholders hundreds or thousands of dollars on standalone travel insurance policies. The RBC Avion Visa Infinite provides trip cancellation and interruption insurance, out-of-province emergency medical coverage, and rental vehicle collision and damage insurance. Mobile device insurance adds another layer of protection for smartphones and tablets damaged or stolen while traveling.
Coverage details, exclusions, and limitations vary by specific card product. Cardholders should review the Certificate of Insurance available through RBC’s cardholder documentation portal before relying on coverage for specific trips.
Even entry-level RBC cards typically include purchase security and extended warranty coverage, providing insurance against theft, damage, or manufacturer defects. Purchase protection covers eligible items against damage, theft, or loss for 90 to 120 days from the purchase date, depending on the card. Extended warranty protection can double or triple the original manufacturer’s warranty, up to one additional year of coverage.
RBC has established partnerships that deliver ongoing value beyond the core rewards structure. The Petro-Canada integration stands out as particularly valuable for Canadian drivers, offering 3 cents per litre instant savings at the pump and 20% bonus Petro-Points when cardholders link their RBC card to a Petro-Points membership. Similarly, linking an RBC card to a Rexall Be Well account generates 50 Be Well points for every $1 spent on eligible products at Rexall pharmacies.
Selecting the optimal RBC credit card requires evaluating your spending patterns, travel habits, income level, and preference for simplicity versus maximizing rewards. Consider the following factors when narrowing your options.
Beyond annual fees, RBC credit cards carry standard interest rates on purchases, cash advances, and balance transfers that apply when cardholders carry balances beyond grace periods. As of October 2026, most RBC cards charge purchase interest rates between 19.99% and 21.99%, with cash advance rates typically 1 to 2 percentage points higher.
The RBC Visa Classic Low Rate Option Card targets consumers specifically seeking lower ongoing interest rates, offering a promotional balance transfer rate of 0.99% for the first 10 months on qualifying transfers, with no annual fee for the first year. After the promotional period expires, the card maintains lower ongoing rates compared to premium rewards cards, though it sacrifices rewards earning potential in exchange for lower interest costs.
Rates and terms may vary by financial institution and are subject to change based on creditworthiness and market conditions.
RBC’s credit card lineup provides robust options across travel rewards, cash back, and low-fee categories, making it possible for most Canadian consumers to find a card that matches their spending patterns and financial goals.
The Avion points program delivers genuine flexibility through airline transfers and no-blackout-date flight bookings, while cash back cards offer straightforward value without redemption complexity.
Premium cards justify their annual fees through comprehensive travel insurance, airport lounge access, and enhanced earning rates, though budget-conscious consumers can access meaningful rewards through RBC’s strong no-fee offerings like the ION Visa.
Partnership benefits with Petro-Canada and Rexall add incremental value that compounds over time for regular customers of those retailers. Before applying, compare current welcome offers, calculate potential annual rewards based on your spending, and verify you meet income requirements for premium cards to ensure you select the product that maximizes your financial advantage.
Before applying, compare our full list of the best credit cards in Canada to make sure this card is the right fit for your wallet.
Most RBC credit cards require a credit score of approximately 660 or higher for approval, though premium cards like the Avion Visa Infinite Privilege may require stronger credit profiles. RBC considers multiple factors beyond credit score, including income, existing debt obligations, and banking relationship history when evaluating applications.
Yes, RBC Avion points transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage, British Airways Executive Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, and WestJet Rewards at a 1:1 ratio. These transfers often deliver higher value than redeeming points directly through RBC’s travel portal, particularly for premium cabin awards or short-haul flights on partners like British Airways.
Welcome bonus points typically post within one to two billing cycles after meeting minimum spending requirements. Instant approval bonuses may appear within days of account opening, while spending-based bonuses require you to complete the specified purchase threshold within the promotional timeframe, usually three to six months from approval.
Yes, RBC provides business credit card options including the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard for Business, which launched recently to serve small business owners and entrepreneurs. Business cards typically require higher income thresholds and may include additional benefits tailored to business spending categories and cash flow management.
Yes, RBC allows cardholders to maintain multiple credit cards simultaneously. Many consumers pair a premium travel rewards card with a no-fee cash back or ION card to optimize rewards across different spending categories. Each application undergoes separate credit evaluation and counts as a distinct inquiry on your credit report.
Link your RBC credit card to a Petro-Points membership to automatically save 3 cents per litre on fuel purchases at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points on all qualifying purchases. Your linked RBC card functions as your Petro-Points card at the pump, eliminating the need to carry a separate loyalty card.
RBC World Elite Mastercard products, including the WestJet RBC World Elite Mastercard and RBC Cash Back Preferred World Elite Mastercard, require a minimum personal income of $80,000 or household income of $150,000. These thresholds are set by Mastercard for the World Elite tier and apply consistently across Canadian issuers.
RBC may provide prorated refunds of annual fees if you cancel your credit card shortly after the fee posts, though policies vary and refunds are not guaranteed. Contact RBC customer service directly to discuss your specific situation and timing if you are considering cancellation after an annual fee posts to your account.
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